Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit.

Background Art

A wide variety of machines are known for the preparation of beverages generally marketed in kits that comprise, in addition to the machine itself, a plurality of capsules that are distinguished according to their content for the preparation of different beverages, such as coffee, tea and the like.

In particular, the machines of known type are generally provided with a capsule housing chamber and opening means employed to open an appropriate opening portion of the capsule when the latter is arranged inside the housing chamber, so as to allow the access thereof to the content of the capsule itself for the preparation of the corresponding beverage.

Generally, the housing chamber is connected in a fluid- operated manner downstream of the supply means of an infusion liquid and upstream of the dispensing means of the beverage.

This way, the supply means introduce the infusion liquid, e.g., water, inside the housing chamber for the liquid to mix with the content of the capsule in order to obtain a beverage, which is subsequently conveyed by the dispensing means outside the housing chamber and inside an external receptacle, such as e.g., a cup, glass and the like.

The machines for the preparation of beverages of known type and their respective kits, however, are subjected to improvements related to the dispensing of the beverages themselves.

In fact, the machines of known type are provided with dispensing means comprising a dispensing channel provided in turn with a first end connected in a fluid- operated manner to the housing chamber and with a second end connected in a fluid- operated manner to a dispensing nozzle facing the outside of the machine in order to dispense the beverage inside the external receptacle. This way, disadvantageously, this type of machines for the preparation of beverages permanently establishes the path followed by the beverage from the housing chamber to the nozzle without allowing any variation of the path itself. In addition, the kits for the preparation of beverages of known type are generally provided with single-dose capsules having identical dimensions and only differ in the type of content.

This way, the amount of beverage made is always that of a predefined dose suitable for the consumption of the beverage by a single person.

Therefore, disadvantageously, the kits for the preparation of beverages of known type allow dispensing capsules having a single standard size for the preparation of predefined amounts and doses of beverage only.

In addition, this type of kit requires the consumption of one capsule for each user of the machine, thus greatly increasing the production of waste in the form of used capsules. The drawbacks listed above make the machines of known type and their respective kits particularly polluting and significantly limit their functionality and possible uses, making them less interesting to customers.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit that allow varying the dispensing path of the beverage itself.

An additional object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit that allow the beverage to be prepared in different amounts and doses. A further object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit that allow reducing waste in the form of used capsules.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit that allow overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution. The objects set out above are achieved by the present machine for the preparation of beverages having the characteristics of claim 1.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present kit for the preparation of beverages having the characteristics of claim 8.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the preparation of beverages and related kit, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic lateral sectional view of the kit according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic lateral sectional view of a detail of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic top sectional view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a first operating configuration of the kit according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a second operating configuration of the kit according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a machine for the preparation of beverages.

The machine 1 for the preparation of beverages comprises: at least one preparation chamber 2 of at least one beverage provided with at least one housing 3 intended to receive at least one capsule 4, 5 for the preparation of the beverage; dispensing means 6, 10, 11 for dispensing the beverage provided with at least one dispensing duct 6 which is connected in a fluid- operated manner to the housing 3 and intended to convey the beverage outside the preparation chamber 2.

In the following discussion, if not otherwise specified, the term “capsule” is intended to indicate a capsule for the preparation of beverages of a type known to a technician in the field, such as e.g. the single-dose capsules commonly used for the preparation of beverages such as coffee, tea and the like.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises supply means 7, 8, 9 of the preparation chamber 2 with at least one infusion liquid adapted to mix with the content of the capsule 4, 5.

Preferably, the supply means 7, 8, 9 are of a type known to a technician in the field and comprise at least one container 7 of the infusion liquid which is connected in a fluid-operated manner to the preparation chamber 2, at least one pumping element 9 of the infusion liquid from the container 7 to the preparation chamber and at least one heating element 8 of the infusion liquid. Advantageously, the dispensing means 6, 10, 11 comprise at least one dispensing unit 10 adapted to dispense the beverage into at least one receptacle 14.

In addition, the machine 1 comprises movement means 29 of the dispensing duct 6 approaching the dispensing unit 10, arranging the dispensing duct 6 at the point where the dispensing unit 10 is located and connecting it to the latter in a fluid- operated manner, and moving away from the dispensing unit 10, disconnecting the dispensing duct 6 from the dispensing unit 10.

In other words, the movement means 29 are adapted to move the dispensing duct 6 to the point where the dispensing unit 10 is located.

After reaching this configuration, the dispensing duct 6 is connected in a fluid- operated manner to the dispensing unit 10, through which the machine 1 dispenses the beverage.

Conveniently, the dispensing means 6, 10, 11 comprise at least one auxiliary dispensing unit 11 for the dispensing of the beverage, which is separate and spaced apart from the dispensing unit 10.

In particular, the movement means 29 move the dispensing duct 6 approaching the auxiliary dispensing unit 11, arranging the dispensing duct 6 at the point where the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 is located and connecting it to the latter in a fluid- operated manner, and moving away from the auxiliary dispensing unit 11, disconnecting the dispensing duct 6 from the auxiliary dispensing unit 11.

In other words, the movement means 29 are adapted to move the dispensing duct 6 alternately at the point where the dispensing unit 10 is located and at the point where the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 is located according to the needs of a user.

Preferably, according to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the movement means 29 move the dispensing duct 6 to the point where the dispensing unit 10 and the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 are located and to the point where a home spot is located away from the dispensing unit 10 and from the auxiliary dispensing unit 11.

Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the movement means 29 move the dispensing duct 6 solely between a first working position at the point where the dispensing unit 10 is located and a second working position at the point where the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 is located.

Conveniently, the dispensing unit 10 comprises an individual dispensing nozzle 12 adapted to dispense the beverage within an individual receptacle 14.

On the contrary, the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 comprises at least two auxiliary dispensing nozzles 13 connected to each other in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to dispense the beverage inside at least two corresponding receptacles 14.

Further embodiments of the dispensing means 6, 10, 11 cannot however be ruled out, wherein the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 comprises a different number of auxiliary dispensing nozzles 13, such as e.g. three or four.

In addition, further embodiments of the machine 1 cannot be ruled out, wherein the dispensing means 6, 10, 11 comprise additional auxiliary dispensing units 11, each provided with a different number of auxiliary dispensing nozzles 12. Advantageously, the housing 3 comprises at least one sliding chamber 15 inside which the dispensing duct 6 is arranged movable in a sliding manner close to/away from at least one of either the dispensing unit 10 or the auxiliary dispensing unit 11. In particular, the sliding chamber 15 defines at least one sliding channel 16 extending longitudinally along a direction of sliding A and along which the dispensing duct 6 is movable sliding.

In addition, the direction of sliding A is arranged substantially horizontally.

In the following discussion, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” used to describe one or more elements of the machine 1 are to be considered valid in the configuration of normal use of the machine 1, in which the same is arranged resting on a stable surface substantially horizontal, as shown in the figure. Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out in which the sliding chamber 15 extends along a differently oriented direction of sliding A, such as e.g. vertically.

Advantageously, the housing 3 defines a thrust channel 17 of the capsule 4, 5 at least partly inside the sliding chamber 15.

Preferably, the thrust channel 17 is made substantially as a continuation of the sliding channel 16 and extends substantially outside the sliding chamber 15.

In addition, the thrust channel 17 extends longitudinally along the direction of sliding A, as shown in the figures.

Advantageously, the dispensing duct 6 comprises at least one receiving portion 18 adapted to stop against the capsule 4, 5 during the movement of the dispensing duct 6.

In particular, the receiving portion 18 is arranged facing the thrust channel 17 so as to receive the capsule 4, 5 as a stop during the movement of the dispensing duct 6.

Furthermore, the dispensing duct 6 comprises at least one elongated portion 19 associated with the receiving portion 18 and arranged substantially opposite the latter.

Preferably, the elongated portion 19 is made in a single body piece with the receiving portion 18.

In particular, the receiving portion 18 has a cross section with respect to the direction of sliding A of substantially greater size than the cross section of the elongated portion 19, as shown in the figures.

Advantageously, the housing 3 comprises at least one outlet opening 19 formed on the sliding chamber 15, centered along the direction of sliding A and having a cross section substantially complementary to that of the elongated portion 19. This way, according to the invention, the receiving portion 18 slides to size inside the sliding channel 16 and the elongated portion 19 is arranged at least partly outside the sliding channel 16 and slides to size through the outlet opening 19.

In addition, the outlet opening 19 defines an end-of-stroke profile 20 adapted to abut against the receiving portion 18 to stop the sliding thereof along the direction of sliding A.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises opening means 30 of the capsule 4, 5 provided with at least one opening element 21 which is movable inside the housing 3 and intended to open at least partly the capsule 4, 5.

In particular, the opening means 30 coincide with the movement means 29.

In fact, the opening element 21 moves the dispensing duct 6 by interposition of the capsule 4, 5, stopping against the latter during the movement of the dispensing duct 6.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises driving means, not shown in the figures, of the movement means 29.

In particular, the driving means are adapted to move the movement means 29 close to/away from the dispensing unit 10.

Advantageously, the driving means are of the type of motorized driving means provided with at least one actuator element, such as e.g. an electric, mechanical, electromechanical motor, or the like.

Further embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out in which the driving means are of the type of manual driving means provided with at least one gripping element mechanically coupled to the movement means 29, such as e.g. a lever, a handle or the like.

Furthermore, further embodiments of the machine 1 cannot be ruled out in which the driving means are provided with both the actuator element and the gripping element.

In particular, the opening element 21 is movable in a sliding manner inside the thrust channel 17.

Furthermore, advantageously, the opening element 21 is facing the thrust channel 17 substantially opposite the receiving portion 18, as shown in the figures.

In fact, the opening element 21 pushes the capsule 4, 5 along the thrust channel 17 towards the receiving portion 18 which, after receiving the capsule 4, 5 in abutment, is pushed in turn along the sliding chamber 15, moving the dispensing duct 6 close to/away from at least one of either the dispensing unit 10 or the auxiliary dispensing unit 11.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises mechanical connection means, not shown in the figures, of the movement means 29 to the dispensing duct 6.

In particular, the connection means link the dispensing duct 6 to the movement means 29 in an integral manner when the latter are moved away from the dispensing unit 10 and when the distance between the movement means 29 and the dispensing duct 6 is substantially greater than a predefined distance.

This way, as a result of the dispensing of a beverage by means of a capsule 4, 5, the dispensing duct 6 is moved away from the dispensing unit 10 by means of the movement of the movement means 29 away from the same dispensing unit. This solution allows the dispensing duct 6 to receive a new capsule 4, 5 and the movement means 29 to reach an operating configuration, so as to repeat the dispensing of the beverage.

The present invention also relates to a kit for the preparation of beverages which, with particular reference to the figures, is globally indicated by reference numeral 24.

The kit 24 for the preparation of beverages comprises: a machine 1 having one or more of the characteristics of the machine described above; a plurality of capsules 4, 5 for the preparation of beverages, each of which is provided with at least one opening portion 22 and at least one basic portion 23 substantially opposite each other to define a predefined extension of the capsule 4, 5.

Advantageously, the plurality of capsules 4, 5 comprise at least a first capsule 4 with a first predefined extension and at least a second capsule 5 with a second predefined extension greater than the first predefined extension.

Furthermore, the movement means 29 move the dispensing duct 6 between at least a first operating configuration, wherein the first capsule 4 is fitted inside the housing 3 and the dispensing duct 6 is placed at the point where the dispensing unit 10 is located and is connected to the latter in a fluid- operated manner, and at least a second operating configuration, wherein the second capsule 5 is fitted inside the housing 3 and the dispensing duct 6 is placed at the point where the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 is located and is connected to the latter in a fluid- operated manner.

In fact, the dispensing unit 10 and the auxiliary dispensing unit 11 are spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance having a value which is substantially equal to the difference between the value of the first predefined extension and the value of the second predefined extension.

In particular, the capsules 4, 5 to which the present invention relates are distinguished from the capsules of a type known to a skilled technician in the field by the fact that they have different extensions from each other.

In actual facts, further embodiments of the kit 24 cannot be ruled out in which the machine 1 comprises further dispensing units 10 and/or further auxiliary dispensing units 11 and in which the capsules 4, 5 comprise a number of capsules 4, 5 having different extensions from each other equal to the number of dispensing units 10 and/or auxiliary dispensing units 11 to be served.

Furthermore, the capsules comprise at least one protruding edge 27 made in a cantilevered fashion, and the housing 3 comprises at least one inlet opening 25 of the sliding chamber 15 defining at least one stop edge 26 intended to abut against this protruding edge 27 in the first and second operating configurations. In other words, the stop edge 26 defines the boundary between the sliding channel 16 and the thrust channel 17. This way, in the first and second operating configurations, the protruding edge 27 abuts against the stop edge 26 and stops the travel of the capsule 4, 5 towards the sliding channel 16.

Preferably, the protruding edge 27 is made at the point where the opening portion 22 is located.

In particular, the protruding edge 27 extends, in use, in a cantilevered fashion substantially transverse to the direction of sliding A.

Conveniently, the inlet opening 25 is centered with respect to the direction of sliding A and is arranged substantially opposite the outlet opening 19, as shown in the figures.

Advantageously, the opening element 21 comprises at least one abutment portion 28 arranged in such a way as to abut against one of either the stop edge 26 or the protruding edge 27 in the first and second operating configurations. This way, after the first or second operating configuration has been reached, the stop edge 26 stops the travel of the opening element 21 along the thrust channel 17.

In particular, in the first and second operating configurations, the protruding edge of the capsule 4, 5 is positioned between the stop edge 26 and the abutment portion 28, as shown in the figures.

Advantageously, the receiving portion 18 of the dispensing duct 6 has a conformation which is substantially complementary to the basic portion 23 of the capsule 4, 5.

This way, the receiving portion 18 accommodates in abutment the basic portion 23 in the first and in the second operating configurations.

The operation of the machine 1 and of the kit 24 is described below.

The user of the machine 1 and/or of the kit 24, depending on the amount and/or depending on the number of doses of beverage to be prepared, chooses one of either the first capsule 4 or the second capsule 5 and fits it inside the preparation chamber 2.

In particular, in this configuration, the capsule 4, 5 is arranged inside the thrust channel 17 where, as a result of the actuation of the opening means 30, the capsule 4, 5 is pushed inside the sliding channel 16.

In more detail, the opening element 21 pushes the opening portion 22 so as to move the basic portion 23 to abut against the receiving portion 18, which is in turn pushed inside the sliding channel 16, leaving space for the capsule 4, 5. Consequently, the elongated portion 19 is also moved close to the dispensing unit 10 and to the auxiliary dispensing unit 11.

In particular, if the capsule 4, 5 fitted inside the preparation chamber 2 is of the type of the capsule 4, the dispensing duct 6 is moved to the first operating configuration. Conversely, if the capsule 4, 5 fitted inside the preparation chamber 2 is of the type of the capsule 5, the dispensing duct 6 is moved to the second operating configuration.

Advantageously, the opening element 21 opens the opening portion 22 while pushing the capsule 4, 5 along the thrust channel 17 and the sliding channel 16. It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, it should be pointed out that the movement means allow varying the dispensing path of the beverage in order to dispense the same from the dispensing units placed in different positions. In addition, the capsules with different extensions allow dispensing different amounts and doses of beverage, thus reducing the pollution of the machine and of the kit with respect to the machines and kits of known type.

In addition, the combination of the above-mentioned solutions makes it possible to dispense different amounts of beverage in the form of different doses depending on the extension of the capsule and on the number of nozzles of the dispensing unit reached by the dispensing duct.